Melanoma Doesn’t Care. But You Should.

Apr 29

May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and it’s just around the corner. This isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s your reminder that skin cancer—especially melanoma—is closer to home than you think.

Melanoma makes up only 1% of skin cancers, but it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths. Why? Because it spreads, and it spreads fast. But there’s a huge upside: when caught early, melanoma is highly curable.

So, what do you need to know? Let’s make it simple.

Melanoma 101: The Facts That Matter

✔ Anyone Can Get It—Yes, even people with darker skin tones.
✔ Sunburns Increase Your Risk—Just five sunburns in your life can double your risk for melanoma.
✔ Tanning Beds Are Worse Than You Think—Using one before age 35 increases your risk by 75%.
✔ Melanoma Can Start Small—It often begins as a mole or dark spot you’ve never noticed before—or one that’s suddenly changing.
✔ Early Detection Saves Lives—Caught early, melanoma has a 100% survival rate. Left unchecked? That number drops fast.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Pay Attention to Any Skin Changes or Abnormalities

Look at your skin head to toe. Look for anything new, changing, or unusual. If something doesn’t look right—trust your gut.
(Hint: If your pet won’t stop sniffing a spot, check it. We’ve seen it happen.)

2. Know Your ABCDEs

Asymmetry
Border irregularity
Color variation
Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
Evolution (changes over time)

(Stay tuned—our next post breaks this down step-by-step.)

3. Book a Professional Skin Exam

That’s where we come in. Dr. Shore’s Skin Check Program makes it simple. Fast appointments. No stress. And peace of mind that’s worth everything.

Why Now?

May is Melanoma Awareness Month. And if you’re going to take action, this is the time.
Because melanoma doesn’t wait—and neither should you.

Stay Tuned

This is just the beginning. We’ll be sharing more tips, tools, and stories all month long. Melanoma Awareness Month starts May 1st, and we’re kicking it off with you.

📍 Book your skin check today.
#MelanomaAwarenessMonth #SkinCheckSavesLives #ShoreDerm #EarlyDetection

Janine Shore